Method of reducing weight using composition containing fucoxanthin extract

ABSTRACT

A method of reducing a weight of a subject includes administering to the subject in need thereof a composition comprised of fucoxanthin extract and at least one selected from the group consisting of tocotrienol, fucoidan and a combination thereof, wherein the subject is a mammal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No.13/144,765, which is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/CN2009/000073 with an International Filing Date of Jan. 19, 2009,and which claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §365(c) from thePCT International Application PCT/CN2009/000073 with an InternationalFiling Date of Jan. 19, 2009, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention involves compositions containing algae extract,especially a composition containing fucoxanthin extract having a weightreducing function.

BACKGROUND

Natural carotenoids such as β-carotene, lycopene, lutein and fucoxanthinwere extensively studied because of their anti-tumor characteristics aswell as prominent free radical elimination functions. Recent studiesfound that some carotenoids had more specific and unique pharmacologicalfunctions. For instance, some reports alleged that fucoxanthin had aweight reducing function. Fucoxanthin, also called pheophytin, is thepigment contained in brown diatoms, chrysophrys and yellow-green algae.It takes part in the photosynthesis as parts of the photochemical systemII. Separated from the algae, it is red-brown crystal. Being a kind ofxanthophylls, it renders brown color to the brown algae and thus is thecharacteristic pigment in brown algae. It is also sporadically containedin the diatoms and other algae. Sometimes it is confounded withphycophaein, however the latter is considered to be the characteristicwater-soluble pigment in the brown algae, it seems to be a imaginarymaterial, and is an yellow-brown oxidation product of a phenoliccompound contained in the brown algae after death of these plants.Therefore fucoxanthin and phycophaein are essentially differentsubstances. The results of studies showed that fucoxanthin regulateshigh expression of the uncoupling protein (UCP1) gene in the animalwhite adipose tissue (WAT), causing the decrease of fat contents in theentrails. Experiments verified that fucoxanthin reduced the amount ofWAT in rats and fat KK-Ay mouse. Mediated by fucoxanthin, the expressionof UCP1 in the WAT expedites the oxidation of fatty acids. (Maeda H,Hosokawa M, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2005, 332(2):392-397; MaedaH, Hosokawa M, Int. J. Mol. Med., 2006, 18(1):147-152; Miyashita K, J.marine Bioscience and Biotechnology, 2006, 1(1):48-58). In spite of allthe recognition to the weight reducing function of fucoxanthin, however,it should be recognized that weight-reducing is a compositive processwith many physiologic biochemical reactions involved in vivo and theapplication of a single component cannot result in an ideal effect.Therefore, a fucoxanthin composition with distinctively synergicfunction is needed in this field to exert a weight reducing function.

Tocotrienols are a kind of functional components contained in palm oiland rice bran oil, their chemical structure is similar to tocopherol.Recent studies showed that they are superior in physiologic functions totocopherol. Vitamin E is very important in every growth phases ofvarious animals, and is absolutely necessary for the exertion of optimalfunction of the procreation, muscle, nervous and immune systems. Amongvitamins, α-tocopherol, usually called Vitamin E, has the highestactivity and widest distribution and is the most representative, henceit has been the focal research subject. However, recent studies foundthat tocotrienols showed more prominent characteristics thanα-tocopherol in some cases, such as anti-oxidation, anti-tumor andcholesterol-lowering activities. These special functions of tocotrienolsare related to its structure. As tocotrienols have an unsaturated sidechain, they are able to more effectively penetrate into the organscontaining saturated fatty acid layers, such as the brain and liver, andit is easier for them to distribute into the lipid layers of the cellmembranes, thereby performing a better functions of anti-oxidation aswell as cleaning up free radicals. To date tocotrienols are studied indepth abroad, whereas they are studied relatively less in China,especially on their efficacy in the applications in weight reduction.

The seas are vast in our Earth and the sources of alga plants in the seaare abundant, fucoidans are gradually becoming one of the main sourcesof biological polysaccharides. Owing to the special living environmentof the sea algae, fucoidans have some unique biological activities, forexample, laminarin is capable of decreasing the superoxide content inthe spleen and increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD)as well as catalase (CAT), thereby achieving antitumor purpose; porphyrapolysaccharide and propylene glycol mannate sulfate (PGMS) have thefunctions of anti-thrombus and improving microcirculation; laminarin andporphyra polysaccharide etc. may have the function of protecting thecells of organisms. More and more researches have shown that fucoidanshave enormous prospect of being exploited and applied. Brown algaepolysaccharides, included brown algae carbohydrate gum, brown algae gumand brown algae starch, are the important components of fucoidans.

In recent 10 years, Japanese scientists studied brown algae extensivelyand thoroughly with thousands of paper published. These papers involvethe analysis of chemical constituents of brown algae, the researches ontheir pharmacological effects and their potential medicinal applicationsas well as new applications in health protection, etc. Researchers foundthat brown algae polysaccharides have many physiological activitiesincluding effects of antitumor/increase of human immunity, anti-allergy,liver-protection, anti-coagulation, cleaning-up of the physiologicalenvironment of intestinal tracts, decreasing the blood fat content,anti-ulcer, decreasing blood sugar, skin wetness reservation, etc.Therefore, it was proposed that fucoidan and the like have the potentialto be the materials of many new medicines.

Among various brown algae polysaccharide materials separated to date,the fucoidans are the most concerned by the scientific researchers owingto its pharmaceutical activities. Because not only the fucoidan contentsin many algae are relatively high, but they have many pharmacologicalfunctions. It is most probably that they are exploited as the materialsof new medicines. More delightfully, fucoidans have a number ofinteresting advantages. Firstly, they are water-soluble (as they belongto compounds of sulfate kind); secondly, fucoidans are easily absorbedby human body and they show no significant poisonous effect on humanbodies. Presently Japanese researchers have separated 3 fucoidans withdifferent molecular structures, i.e., G-, F-, and U-fucoidan. Results ofanimal experiments using the 3 fucoidans showed that they all havestrong effects of facilitating the apoptosis of tumor cells (the effectof inhibiting the growth of tumors), equilibrating the immunity andpromoting the regenesis of organism cells in the body, etc. It ishopeful that these 3 types of fucoidans can be exploited to be newclinic anti-tumor medicines.

Currently the studies on the weight reducing effects of fucoxanthinextract have got on primary advancement. However, the weight reducingeffect is not yet ideal when it is used as the sole components and fewstudies has been carried out on the compositions of fucoxanthin extract.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the shortcomings of the present techniques, the main object ofthis invention is to propose a composition.

On the one hand, this invention provides a kind of compositioncontaining fucoxanthin extract, the said composition also containstocotrienols and/or fucoidans.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the sources of the saidfucoxanthin extract can be plants, microbes, or synthesized compounds.More preferably, the source of said fucoxanthin extract is plants, thesaid plants are algae. More preferably, said algae comprise one or morekinds of the following: kelp, gulfweed, bladder-wrack, myosotonaquaticum, podocystis, chorda filum, undaria pinnatifida, bull-kelp,carrageen, sargassum kjellmanianum, saltwort, sargassum pallidum anddiatom.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the sources of the saidtocotrienols can be plants, microbes, or synthesized compounds. Morepreferably, the source of said tocotrienols is plants. More preferably,said plant source is one or more kinds of the following: palm, rice andachiote. The tocotrienols can be one or more compounds selected from thefollowing: α-Tocotrienol, β-Tocotrienol, γ-Tocotrienol or δ-Tocotrienol.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the source of saidfucoidans is algae of the brown alga type, said algae of brown alga typecomprises one or more types of the following: kelp, undaria pinnatifida,purple laver, saltwort, carrageen, Gelidium amansii and waterweed.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, said composition alsocontains pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants. Said adjuvants areselected from excipients, thickeners, dispersion media, coatingmaterials, sweeteners, etc. Specifically, said adjuvants include but arenot restricted within the following kinds of substances: dilutingliquids, binders, lubricants, dispersants, colorants, expanders,flavoring materials, sweeteners and other composite materials normallyused for specific therapy, such as buffering agents and adsorbents. Thesaid adjuvants are added into the composition using the conventionaltechniques in this field. More preferably, said adjuvants are one ormore substances selected from the following: denaturated starch,dextrin, median chain triglyceride oil, acacia gum, Tween 80, calciumphosphate.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the effective dose offucoxanthin contained in said medicinal composition is between 0.1 mg-20mg. More preferably, said dose of fucoxanthin is between 0.5 mg-15 mg.Most preferably, said dose of fucoxanthin is between 1 mg-10 mg.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the dose of tocotrienolscontained in said composition is between 0.1 mg-50 mg. More preferably,said dose of tocotrienols is between 0.5 mg-40 mg. Most preferably, saiddose of tocotrienols is between 1 mg-30 mg.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the content of fucoidanin said composition is between 0.1 mg-1000 mg. More preferably, saiddose of fucoidan is between 1 mg-600 mg. More preferably, said dose offucoidan is between 10 mg-500 mg.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the weight reducingcomposition proposed in this invention may be produced as preparationsfor intestinal therapy. Preferably, said preparations comprise hard- andsoft capsules, tablets, medicinal granules, oral liquids andsuspensions.

On the other hand, this invention proposes the application of saidcomposition described in weight reducing, wherein the subjects of teststake said composite orally, said subjects are mammals.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, said mammals are human.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, said weight reducingeffect is the decrease of the subjects' body weight.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, said weight reducingeffect is the decrease of the subjects' abdomen fat.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the daily dose ofeffective fucoxanthin ingredients the subjects take is between 0.1 mg-20mg. More preferably, said daily dose of fucoxanthin is between 0.5 mg-15mg. Most preferably, said daily dose of fucoxanthin is between 1 mg-10mg.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the daily dose oftocotrienols the subjects take is between 0.1 mg-50 mg. More preferably,said daily dose of tocotrienols is between 0.5 mg-40 mg. Mostpreferably, said daily dose of tocotrienols is between 1 mg-30 mg.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, the daily dose offucoidan is between 0.1 mg-1000 mg. More preferably, said daily dose offucoidan is between 1 mg-600 mg. Most preferably, said daily dose offucoidan is between 10 mg-500 mg.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, said daily dose is asingle dose daily.

In one preferable embodiment of this invention, said daily dose ismultiple doses daily.

The data from this invention showed that fucoxanthin has a certainweight reducing effect stronger than tocotrienols and fucoidan alone.When fucoxanthin and tocotrienols are applied in compositive manner, thetwo represent apparent synergistic effect. When fucoxanthin and fucoidanare applied in compositive manner, the two represent apparentsynergistic effect, too. When three components of fucoxanthin,tocotrienols and fucoidan are applied in compositive manner, moresignificant synergistic effect is revealed and more effective weightloss can be achieved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following are more detailed description, in combination with theexperimental results, of the abovementioned and other technicalcharacteristics and advantages of this invention.

Fucoxanthin is extracted from a group of following algae: kelp,gulfweed, bladder-wrack, myosoton aquaticum, podocystis, chorda filum,undaria pinnatifida, bull-kelp, carrageen, sargassum kjellmanianum,saltwort, sargassum pallidum and diatom. The pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients include any solvent, dispersion medium, coating material,sweetener, etc. Said adjuvants specifically include but are notrestricted within the following a group of substances: diluting liquids,adhesives, lubricants, dispersants, colorants, expanders, flavoringmaterials, sweeteners and other composite materials normally used forspecific therapy, such as buffering agents and adsorbents. The saidadjuvants are added into the composition using the conventionaltechniques in this field.

The composition stated in this invention can be prepared as any kind ofcommon preparation, such as tablets, capsules, medicinal granules, oralliquids, suspensions and emulsion.

Preferably, it can be prepared as hard- and soft capsules, medicinalgranules and oral liquids.

In this invention, appropriate ethanol water solution can be used toextract sea algae to obtain fucoxanthin extract, by adsorption of thefucoxanthins onto a separation medium, eluting with appropriate solvent,and subsequent concentration of the eluant, red fucoxanthin extract canbe obtained. Specific preparation method can be referred to the ChinesePatent application No. CN200810226391.3 (A method for the purificationof fucoxanthin).

After adding emulsifier, fucoxanthin thus obtained is emulsifieduniformly, fucoidan and denaturated starch are subsequently added,stirred up, the mixture is spray dried. The spray dried powder is addedwith appropriate pharmaceutically accepted adjuvants, to preparepreparations for intestinal tract, including oral liquids, tablets,soft- and hard capsules and drop pills etc.

By mixing fucoxanthin and tocotrienols evenly, added with edible oil ormedian chain triglyceride oil, it is also possible to produce softcapsules, or the mixture can be emulsified into oil-in-water emulsion,and then added denaturated starch with stirred up, and subsequentlyspray dried. The spray dried powder is added with appropriatepharmaceutically accepted adjuvants to prepare preparations forintestinal tract, including oral liquids, tablets, soft- and hardcapsules and drop pills etc.

The preparations may also be made by mixing fucoxanthin and tocotrienolsevenly, the mixture is added with fucoidan and denaturated starch,stirred up, and subsequently spray dried. The spray dried powder isadded with appropriate pharmaceutically accepted adjuvants to preparepreparations for intestinal tract, including oral liquids, tablets,soft- and hard capsules and drop pills etc.

The preparations may also be made by mixing Tween80 and PEG 400, stirredup thoroughly, the mixture is then added with vegetable oil or medianchain triglyceride oil, and subsequently with fucoxanthin, tocotrienols,fucoidan and appropriate amount of thickener such as sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, acacia gum and agar. The mixture is stirred upthoroughly and is then homogenized using a colloid mill or homogenizer.Subsequently, soft capsules can be produced by using glutin and glycerolas capsule shell material according to the manufacture method of softcapsules.

The preparations may also be made by dissolving fucoxanthin with organicsolvents. The solution is added with an organic solution containingtocotrienols, subsequently fucoidan water solution and appropriateemulsifier, such as Tween or Span and denaturated starch water solutionetc. The mixture is concentrated to a certain degree under reducedpressure and spray dried. The dried powder is added with silica andtalcum powder, stirred up and milled thoroughly. This powder can be madeinto common preparations such as water-soluble beverages, medicinalgranules and capsules according to the common procedures.

Following are further descriptions of this invention by examples. Itshould be understood that these examples are intended to exemplify theinvention, not to restrict the protection range of this invention.

Example 1

Capsules prepared using ingredients including fucoxanthin extracts (seeTable 1).

TABLE 1 Formulation of the Example 1 Ingredients content fucoxanthin 2mg fucoidan 22 mg  tocotrienols 2 mg denaturated starch 200 mg 

Example 2

Soft capsules prepared using ingredients including fucoxanthin extracts(see Table 2).

TABLE 2 Formulation of the Example 2 Ingredients content fucoxanthin3.87 mg fucoidan  387 mg tocotrienols 58.06 mg  denaturated starch   50mg acacia gum   1 mg

Example 3

Granules prepared using ingredients including fucoxanthin extracts (seeTable 3).

TABLE 3 Formulation of the Example 3 Ingredients content fucoxanthin 2mg fucoidan 1 g tocotrienols 5 mg Tween 80 10 mg Calcium phosphate 2.5mg

Example 4

Test substances: Formulations are prepared according to the ratios shownin Table 4 Formulations for feeding animals: high-fat feed is composedof 80% basic feed, 10% lard and 10% yolk powder.

Grouping and treatment of the test animals: 80 grown-up male healthy SDclean grade rats (body weight 180-210 g) are adaptively fed with basicfeed for a week, 10 are used as basic feed control, the rest are fedwith high-fat feed. A month later, the group of rats fed with high-fatfeed is randomly grouped into 7 groups according to their weights, 10 ineach group: model control, fucoxanthin (A), tocotrienols(B),fucoidan(C), composition A+B+C, composition A+B and composition A+C. Thegroup of basic feed keeps on feeding with basic feed, the rest groupsare fed with high-fat feeds. The groups of basic feed and model controlare intragastrically administrated with distilled water, the rest groupsare intragastrically administrated with tested medicines, alladministrated for 30 d. The groups of animals are raised in differentcages in rooms with the temperature conditioned at (22±2) ° C. and undernatural illumination. The rats take food and water freely. Each week,their body weights are measured and the amounts of food they take areobserved and recorded. They are weighted after feeding for 30 d.

Statistical analysis: the variance from the data collected in thisexperiment is analyzed with SAS package, Dunnett's t test is used tocompare statistically the results from different groups, the results ofP<0.05 is decided as statistically significant.

The results: According to the experimental results, the food-intake ofthe groups of rats did not change with the time they were administratedwith medicines, thus no statistical significance is detected and this isno longer depicted later on. From Table 5 it can be seen that when theexperiment finished, the difference in weights of the animals in modelcontrol was statistically significant (P<0.05), this means that themodeling of rat obesity promotion model was successful.

At the same time, weights of rats in A+B+C, A+B, A+C groups decreasedfurther and differed from the model control (P<0.05, P<0.01), this meansthat the composition containing fucoxanthin (A) had weight reducingeffect on obese rats, and the weight reducing effects of compositionA+B+C, A+B, A+C were more significant than fucoxanthin (A) alone(P<0.01).

TABLE 4 Formulation of the Example 4 Group Oral dose by each ratA(fucoxanthin) 36.25 μg B(tocotrienols) 36.25 μg C(fucoidan)  0.4 mg A +B + C A: 36.25 μg; B: 36.25 μg; C: 0.4 mg A + B A: 36.25 μg; B: 36.25μg; A + C A: 36.25 μg; C: 0.4 mg

TABLE 5 the effect of different groups of medicine administration inExample 4 on the body weight of model rats with alimentary obesity, ( x± s) g Body weight (g) Body weight (g) Weight Group (before experiment)(after experiment) increased(g) Control 438.21 ± 21.20 469.43 ± 32.7831.22 ± 19.87 with basic feed Model 485.98 ± 20.45* 547.28 ± 35.52*61.30 ± 21.22* control C 486.69 ± 21.12 546.59 ± 18.64 59.90 ± 18.11 B486.13 ± 20.98 545.02 ± 21.10 58.89 ± 20.25 A 486.50 ± 22.10 530.18 ±20.32Δ 43.68 ± 19.13Δ A + C 485.96 ± 20.11 516.08 ± 20.13ΔΔ 30.12 ±18.22ΔΔ A + B 485.99 ± 20.44 515.49 ± 39.21ΔΔ 29.50 ± 18.21ΔΔ A + B + C485.55 ± 21.10 511.10 ± 21.00ΔΔ 25.55 ± 21.52ΔΔ (*P < 0.05 in comparisonwith the control group with basic feed group; ΔP < 0.05, ΔΔP < 0.01 incomparison with the model control group)

Example 5

The procedure was the same as in Example 4. The formulation is shown inTable 6. After feeding for 30 d and weighing, executing all the rats,the abdomen fat was peeled off and weighed accurately. Statisticalanalysis was carried out as in Example 4

The results: From Table 7 it can be seen that body weights, weights ofabdomen fat as well as the ratios of abdomen fat weight/body weight ofthe animals in model control groups were statistically significant(P<0.05) in comparison with the group fed with basic feed, this meansthat the modeling of rat obesity promotion model was successful.

In the meantime, body weights, weights of abdomen fat as well as theratios of abdomen fat weight/body weight of rats in A+B+C, A+B, A+C andA groups decreased further (P<0.05) and differed from the model control,this means that the composition containing fucoxanthin (A) had weightreducing effect on obese rats, and the weight reducing effects ofcomposition A+B+C, A+C, A+B were more significant than fucoxanthin (A)alone.

TABLE 6 the formulation of the Example 5 Component Oral dose by the RatsA (fucoxanthin)  9.06 μg B (tocotrienols) 36.25 μg C (fucoidan) 18.12 mgA + B + C A: 9.06 μg; B: 36.25 μg; C: 18.12 mg A + C A: 9.06 μg; C:18.12 mg A + B A: 36.25 μg; B: 36.25 μg;

TABLE 7 the effect of different groups of medicine administration inExample 5 on the abdomen fat in model rats with alimentary obesity ( x ±s) g Body weight (g) Weight of abdomen Group (after experiment) Abdomenfat (g) fat/body weight Control 469.43 ± 32.78  8.98 ± 2.04 1.92 ± 0.11with basic feed Model 547.28 ± 35.52 13.29 ± 1.23* 2.43 ± 0.22* controlC 546.59 ± 18.64 12.99 ± 1.23 2.38 ± 0.13 B 545.02 ± 21.10 12.87 ± 2.112.36 ± 0.16 A 530.18 ± 20.32  9.58 ± 1.99Δ 1.81 ± 0.13Δ A + C 516.08 ±20.13  9.19 ± 1.97ΔΔ 1.78 ± 0.12ΔΔ A + B 515.49 ± 39.21  9.01 ± 2.01ΔΔ1.75 ± 0.11ΔΔ A + B + C  511.1 ± 21.00  8.44 ± 1.98ΔΔ 1.65 ± 0.14ΔΔ (*P< 0.05, in comparison with the control group with basic feed group; ΔP <0.05, ΔΔP < 0.01 in comparison with the model control group)

Example 6

The procedure was the same as in Example 4. The formulation is shown inTable 8. After feeding for 30 days and weighing, executing all the rats,the fat pads around the testicles were peeled off and weighedaccurately. Statistical analysis was carried out as in Example 4.

The results: From Table 9 it can be seen that body weights, the ratiosof fat pad weights around testicles/body weight of the animals in modelcontrol groups were statistically significant (P<0.05) in comparisonwith the group fed with basic feed, this means that the modeling of ratobesity promotion model was successful.

At the same time, body weights, the fat pad weights around the testiclesas well as the ratio of fat pad weight around the testicles/body weightof rats in A+B+C, A+B, A+C and A groups decreased (P<0.05) and differedfrom the model control, this means that the composition containingfucoxanthin (A) had weight reducing effect on obese rats, and the weightreducing effects of the composition were more significant thanfucoxanthin (A) alone.

TABLE 8 Formulation of the Example 6 Component Oral dose by the rats A(fucoxanthin) 362.5 μg B (tocotrienols)  18.12 μg C (fucoidan)  9.06 mgA + B + C A: 362.5 μg; B: 18.12 μg; C: 9.06 mg A + C A: 362.5 μg; C:9.06 mg A + B A: 362.5 μg; B: 18.12 μg

TABLE 9 The effect of different groups of medicine administration inExample 6 on the fat around the testicles in model rats with alimentaryobesity ( x ± s) g Fat pad Fat pad Body weight (g) weight around weightaround the Group (after experiments) the testicles (g) testicles/bodyweight Control 469.43 ± 32.78 6.44 ± 0.88 1.37 ± 0.15 with basic feedModel 547.28 ± 35.52* 9.21 ± 0.51* 1.68 ± 0.14* control C 546.59 ± 18.649.11 ± 0.48 1.67 ± 0.13 B 545.02 ± 21.10 9.10 ± 0.79 1.67 ± 0.10 A530.18 ± 20.32 7.32 ± 0.83Δ 1.38 ± 0.11Δ A + C 516.08 ± 20.13 6.71 ±0.72ΔΔ 1.30 ± 0.11ΔΔ A + B 515.49 ± 39.21 6.44 ± 0.85ΔΔ 1.25 ± 0.12ΔΔA + B + C  511.1 ± 21.00 6.23 ± 0.73ΔΔ 1.22 ± 0.13ΔΔ (*P < 0.05, incomparison with the group fed with basic feed group; ΔP < 0.05, ΔΔP <0.01 in comparison with model control group)

Example 7

The procedure was the same as in Example 4. The formulation is shown inTable 10. After feeding for 30 d and weighing, executing all the rats,the fat pads around the kidneys were taken out and weighed accurately.Statistical analysis was carried out as in Example 4.

The results: From Table 11 it can be seen that body weights, the fat padweights around the kidneys as well as the ratios of fat pad weightsaround the kidneys/body weight of the animals in model control groupswere statistically significant (P<0.05) in comparison with the group fedwith basic feed, this means that the modeling of rat obesity promotionmodel was successful.

At the same time, body weights, the fat pad weights around the kidneysas well as the ratio of fat pad weight around the kidneys/body weight ofrats in A+B+C, A+C, A+B and A groups decreased (P<0.05) and differedfrom the model control, this means that the composition containingfucoxanthin (A) had weight reducing effect on obese rats, and the weightreducing effects of the composition were more significant thanfucoxanthin (A) alone.

TABLE 10 Formulation of the Example 7 Component Oral dose by the rats A(fucoxanthin) 181.23 μg B (tocotrienols)  398.7 μg C (fucoidan)  1.81 mgA + B + C A: 181.23 μg; B: 398.7 μg; C: 1.81 mg A + B A: 181.23 μg; B:398.7 μg A + C A: 181.23 μg; C: 1.81 mg

TABLE 11 Effect of different groups of medicine administration inExample 7 on the fat around the kidneys in model rats with alimentaryobesity ( x ± s) g Total weight of Total weight of fat Body weight (g)fat pads around pads around the Group (after experiments) the kidneys(g) kidneys/body weight Control 469.43 ± 32.78 5.57 ± 0.46 1.19 ± 0.12with basic feed Model 547.28 ± 35.52* 9.97 ± 0.65* 1.82 ± 0.13* controlC 546.59 ± 18.64 9.29 ± 0.61 1.70 ± 0.13 B 545.02 ± 21.10 9.18 ± 0.601.68 ± 0.11 A 530.18 ± 20.32 7.42 ± 0.60Δ 1.42 ± 0.12Δ A + C 516.08 ±20.13 6.86 ± 0.50ΔΔ 1.33 ± 0.11ΔΔ A + B 515.49 ± 39.21 6.70 ± 0.62ΔΔ1.30 ± 0.12ΔΔ A + B + C  511.1 ± 21.00 6.13 ± 0.58ΔΔ 1.20 ± 0.14ΔΔ (*P <0.05, in comparison with the control group with basic feed; Δ P < 0.05,ΔΔ P < 0.01 in comparison with the model control)

Example 8 Clinic Intake Trial Experiment

To examine the weight reducing effect of fucoxanthin composition bymeans of random control method, 20 eligible test subjects of the age of20 to 50 were divided into 5 groups, A+B+C, A+C, A+B, A, B+C, withrandom figure table method. The number of the subjects in each group wasn=4. The daily doses of the medicines taken by the subjects wereaccording to Table 12. Apart from being administrated with each of thedifferent tested medicines at the breakfast time according to the setway of taking the medicine, other normal life style and dietetic habitof the subjects were not changed. No low-calorie food recipe wasrequired, no restriction to the food and drink was executed and no extraphysical training was carried out. To examining the effect of samplingof the medicine, the subjects were respectively examined before samplingof the medicine and 1 month, 2 and 3 months after the sampling. That is,the bodyweight, waist- and hiplines, blood sugar and blood fat weremeasured, abdomen CT scanning was carried out and so on. The subjectswere periodically followed-up to find out the experiences and tosupervise and guarantee compliance of the customers in taking themedicine. For the test, those suffered from serious metabolic diseasesthat need medicinal control and those taken other weight reducingproducts had been excluded.

Abdomen fat areas were measured with CT

-   -   Instrument: CT Model Pronto; Hitachi, Japan.    -   120 kV, 175 mA    -   Layer thickness of the scanning: 10 mm    -   Scanning in the umbilical cross-section    -   Attenuation of the adipose tissue: −250˜−50 HU (CT Unit)    -   Calculation of the fat areas: total abdomen fat, visceral- and        subcutaneous fat (mm²)

Using CT Scanning, total fat—as well as visceral fat areas were markedout across the umbilical cross-section, the areas were measuredrespectively, the area of subcutaneous fat was obtained as thedifference of both areas.

The changes of body weights, abdomen total fat areas, visceral fat areasas well as subcutaneous fat areas of the test subjects before and afterclinic experiments are shown in Tables 13 and 14.

The results of CT scanning showed that body weights, weights of totalabdomen fat, the weights of visceral- and subcutaneous fat of rats fedwith the composition containing fucoxanthin all decreased. The effectreduced body weight by the composition of fucoxanthin is correlated withthe decrease of abdomen fat. The effects of A+B+C, A+C, A+B, and Agroups are more significant than B+C group (P<0.05) and the weightreducing effects of compositions were more significant than fucoxanthin(A) alone. The indices of weight reducing effect of the A+B+C group issignificantly superior to other groups, followed by the A+B group andfollowed by the A+C group.

Other Examinations

No abnormity has been found in blood routine examination, urine routineexamination, liver function, blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar.

In the follow-up questionnaires, some questions were set up to find outthe experiences as well as compliance of the customers in taking themedicine. The results of the questionnaire are as follows:

-   -   No phenomena of restraining of appetite, nausea, vomiting,        discomfort of stomach and intestines happened in the digestive        systems of the customers.    -   No phenomena of thirst, polyuria and frequent urination        happened.    -   No phenomena of dysphoria, insomnia and night sweat happened in        the psychosis.    -   No phenomena of rise of blood pressure and heart rate or        heart-throb and dizziness happened.

Unlike traditional weight reducing products of the appetite restrainingtype functioning by means of the control of fat intake, the weightreducing effect of fucoxanthin composition is based on the fatmetabolism and is not related to appetite, therefore, theoretically,unlike other weight reducing products that will cause the resumption ofthe appetite, and hence the body weight rebound after giving up takingthe medicine, fucoxanthin compositions will exert continuous weightreducing effect and they can eliminate various unfavorable side effects.When the fucoxanthin compositions are stopped administering for a month,the body weight of subjects does not rebound and therefore it isunnecessary to change the life style, to resort to be on diet orclapped-out physical exercise. The medicines can be taken by way ofsingle doses as well as multiple doses, this makes fucoxanthinpreparations more convenient. Therefore, the composition composed offucoxanthin and fucoidan, of fucoxanthin and tocotrienol, and offucoxanthin, fucoidan and tocotrienol are types of safe, effective andconvenient ideal weight reducing product. Fucoxanthin compositions havemore significant weight reducing effect than fucoxanthin alone. It canbe taken reassuringly by those populations taking health-care, reducingweight and taking other medicines in same time and the weight reducingeffect is trustworthy. These weight reducing compositions can also beapplied as food additives, foodstuffs, health products, and medicines.

TABLE 12 Oral doses Clinic groups daily dose A 2 mg A + B + C A: 2 mg;B: 2 mg; C: 22 mg A + B A: 2 mg; B: 2 mg; A + C A: 2 mg; C: 22 mg B + CB: 2 mg; C: 22 mg A: fucoxanthin; B: tocotrienols; C: fucoidan

TABLE 13 Changes of body weights as well as total abdomen fat area ofthe test subjects. Body weight ( x ± s) Kg Total abdomen fat area ( x ±s) mm² Groups Before clinic After clinic Before clinic After clinic n =4 experiment experiment Change experiment experiment decrease B + C 70.4± 0.10 70.54 ± 0.14 increase 36780 ± 1706 36725 + 1389 0.15% by 0.21% A68.4 ± 0.13 67.37 ± 0.11 decrease 36555 ± 1645 34479 ± 1475 5.68% by1.5% A + C 69.3 ± 0.14  69.3 + 0.13 decrease 36666 ± 1558 32816 ± 134510.50% by 2.5% A + B 70.4 ± 0.11 68.29 ± 0.14 decrease 36700 ± 142432535 ± 1169 11.35% by 3.0% A + B + C 71.5 ± 0.12 67.93 ± 0.10 decrease37000 ± 1315 29999 ± 1268 18.92% by 5%

TABLE 14 Changes of the area of visceral- and subcutaneous fat of theexperimental subjects The area of visceral fat ( x ± s) mm² The area ofsubcutaneous fat ( x ± s) mm² Groups Before clinic After clinic DecreaseBefore clinic After clinic Decrease n = 4 experiment experiment (%)experiment experiment (%) B + C 17493 ± 1454 17477 ± 1545  0.09% 15488 ±1058 15469 ± 1157  0.12% A 17380 ± 1185 16650 ± 1484* 4.20% 15514 ± 119214568 ± 1225* 6.10% A + C 17400 ± 1087 16158 ± 1327* 7.14% 15498 ± 138614026 ± 1532* 9.50% A + B 17484 ± 1378 15986 ± 1164* 8.57% 15480 ± 145413932 ± 1345* 10.00% A + B + C 17500 ± 1554 14999 ± 1289* 14.29% 15500 ±1512 12916 ± 1487* 16.67% (*P < 0.05 in comparison with B + C)

The above are preferable examples of this invention, which are intendedto exemplify the invention, not to restrict the protection range of thisinvention. Within the spirit and scope limited by the claims of thepresent invention, the person skilled in the art can make lots ofchange, modification, which should be fallen within the protection scopeof the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of reducing a weight of a subject,the method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof aneffective amount of a composition comprised of fucoxanthin extract,tocotrienol, and fucoidan, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the mammal is a human.
 3. The method of claim2, wherein the weight is a body weight of the subject.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the weight is an abdomen fat weight of the subject. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein a daily dose of fucoxanthin taken by thesubject is between 0.1 mg-20 mg.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein saiddaily dose is a single dose daily.
 7. The method of claim 5, whereinsaid daily dose is multiple doses daily.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein a daily dose of the tocotrienol taken by the subject is between0.1 mg-50 mg.
 9. The method of each of claim 8, wherein said daily doseis a single dose daily.
 10. The method of each of claim 8, wherein saiddaily dose is multiple doses daily.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein adaily dose of the fucoidan taken by the subject is between 0.1 mg-1000mg.
 12. The method of each of claim 11, wherein said daily dose is asingle dose daily.
 13. The method of each of claim 11, wherein saiddaily dose is multiple doses daily.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein asource of the fucoxanthin extract is selected from the group consistingof a plant, a microbe, a synthesized compound, and a combinationthereof.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the source of thefucoxanthin extract is sea algae selected from the group consisting ofkelp, gulfweed, bladder-wrack, myosoton aquaticum, podocystis, chordafilum, undaria pinnatifida, bull-kelp, carrageen, sargassumkjellmanianum, saltwort, sargassum pallidum, diatom, and a combinationthereof.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the tocotrienol is selectedfrom the group consisting of α-tocotrienol, β-tocotrienol,γ-tocotrienol, δ-tocotrienol, and a combination thereof.
 17. The methodof claim 1, wherein a source of the fucoidan is sea algae of brown algatype.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition furthercomprises a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.
 19. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the composition is a preparation for intestinal tract.20. The method of claim 19, wherein said preparation comprises ahard-capsule, a soft capsule, a tablet, a medicinal granule, an oralliquid, a suspension, or an emulsion.